Could you use a secondary safe for reloading room, workshop, or bedroom? This Stack-On 14-Gun Fire Safe fills the bill. Rated for 14 long guns, this 293-pound safe can realistically hold 8 to 10 rifles. But it can also hold your handguns, rangefinders, cameras, jewelry, and other valuables. Let’s face it, your primary gun safe is probably full so you could use a second safe to hold smaller items. Walmart’s current “Roll-Back” price is just $349.00. And right now Walmart is offering “Free Freight Shipping” — so this Stack-On Safe can be delivered to your residence for no extra charge. Nice.
We know some of our readers still don’t own a gun safe, even a small one. We’ll now there’s no excuse. Here’s a very good deal on a Stack-On gun vault at WalMart. This 14-gun safe can’t compare to a large, heavy-gauge $1500+ safe, but it will be worlds better than storing your firearms under the bed or in a closet. Priced at just $349.00 on sale, this is a very good value — plus the shipping is FREE!
Measuring 55″ tall x 20.3″ wide x 19.0″ deep, this Stack-On safe is rated for 14 long guns up to 54″ tall. Assembled safe weight is 293 pounds. This safe is fire-rated up to 30 minutes up to 1400 degrees. It is small enough that you can move it into place with a dolly. Then we strongly recommend you sink anchors and bolt the safe in place.
Derek Rodgers is the current F-TR World Champion AND the reigning King of 2 Miles. He’s also a member of the Berger SWN-winning McMillan F-TR team. But when it comes to rifles, competition is only one of Derek’s interests. He’s also an avid hunter. He enjoys getting out in the back-country in his home state of New Mexico.
Recently Derek went coyote hunting with his daughter, Dereka. They spotted some ‘yotes, but the real treat was seeing Oryx, a long-horned species native to Africa. Some time ago, a herd of Oryx was transplanted to a “secret spot” in New Mexico not too far from Albuquerque. Permission to hunt the Oryx is hard to obtain, but possible.
Derek and his daughter could not shoot Oryx on this occasion because the timing wasn’t right. But he noted: “Calling for coyotes can get exciting when your daughter has an oryx hunt just weeks away.” You can see the animals in the video below. Derek says: “It would have been a successful morning if this was March 1st [when Oryx hunting would be allowed with her tag].” Derek’s wife Hope tells us that “Oryx meat is delicious — much better than deer or elk.” Good luck to Dereka and her famous father next month.
Derek’s Coyote rifle (for this trip) was an AR-platform rig. Despite being a world-champion F-Class shooter, Derek had a number of coyote misses on this trip, which did NOT impress young Miss Dereka. It just shows that even the best can easily miss on a moving target.
Want to see the best semi-auto pistol and revolver shooters on the planet in action? Then check out Shooting USA TV later today. Today’s broadcast features in-depth coverage of the 2017 Bianchi Cup. Shooting USA’s John Scoutten and Julie Golob report from the NRA Action Pistol Championship, better known as the Bianchi Cup, after one of its founders, John Bianchi.
ShootingUSA AIR TIMES FOR 2018 (Outdoor Channel)
Wednesday 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific, 8:00 PM Central
NOTE: Shooting USA is listed as a one-hour show in your cable menu.
In the past 30 years the Bianchi Cup has become the richest handgun event in the world, with cash and prizes for the best scores on four stages of fire. Shooting USA will spotlight top male and female Bianchi Cup competitors in both wheelgun and and semi-auto pistol divisions. Along with North American shooters, the Bianchi Cup draws top handgun competitors from around the globe.
In 2017 shooters from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan traveled to Columbia, Missouri in search of the perfect 1920 match score. Each round is the aggregate of the four (4) fired events: Practical, Barricade, Falling Plate, and Moving Target Events. Each of the four events requires 48 shots to complete. 480 points possible on each event. Three of the four are scored on the NRA tombstone P1 target. You must hit in the 10-ring or inner X-Ring on EVERY shot to shoot a “clean” 1920.
27 Years ago Doug Koening set the standard with a 1920. Since then, every Open shooter knows that he or she must “clean” this match (i.e. score a “1920”) to have a chance to take the title of “Champion”. The X-Count is the tie-breaker.
In this video, 18-Time Bianchi Cup Winner Doug Koenig demonstrates Fast Follow-up Shots
Here are the top four women shooting the Practical Event during the Colt Championship Final. From top: 2017 Bianchi Women’s Champion Cherie Blake, third place SFC Katie Bahten, second place Anita Mackiewicz, and fourth place Jessie Duff. Shooting Sports USA Photo
This Bianchi Cup Preview offers the perspective of newcomers to the game…
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites young men and women shooters to apply for CMP scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year. The CMP offers $1,000 one-year scholarships to current high school seniors. Since 2005, CMP has awarded over $1 million in scholarship grants. Last year, the CMP received a record-setting number of applications and awarded over $150,000 in scholarship money. Winning scholarship recipients came from JROTC programs, 4-H groups and other shooting clubs.
Don’t Delay — Scholarship Application Deadline is March 20, 2018
CMP Scholarships are based on merit. Selected individuals arehigh school seniors who are currently enrolled in a team or club that is participating in rifle or pistol marksmanship competitions. Applicants must provide rifle or pistol competition history, list of awards, and future goals in the shooting sports. Applicants must also provide academic GPA and an official high school transcript (3.0 Minimum GPA Required).
Applications are Being Accepted Now for 2018-2019
The CMP is now taking scholarship applications for the 2018-2019 freshman college year. Scholarships are one-year awards that may be used to fund any accredited, post-secondary education or vocational program. (Note: Students planning to enroll in a military academy are not eligible).
The deadline for CMP Scholarship Application is March 20, 2018. Learn more about the program at the CMP Website Scholarship Page. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Williams at 419-635-2141, ext. 709, or email kwilliams [@] thecmp.org.
Two-Time National F-TR Champion James Crofts uses this Rem 40X for rimfire cross-training.
Bullets.com is having a huge consolidation clearance sale this month. This company, headed by Shiraz Balolia, a top F-Class shooter, stocks many great products for benchrest, precision, and tactical shooters. We always recommend that centerfire shooters practice regularly with an accurate rimfire rifle to maintain their skill set — practice your breathing, trigger control, and the way you hold the rifle. Weekly sessions with a good rimfire rig will translate directly into more consistent results with your centerfire match rifles.
To get the best results from rimfire cross-training, you need ammo that is accurate, and affordable enough that you train often. Norma Tac-22 and Match-22 ammo fits the bill perfectly. This ammo has shot remarkably well considering the price with Bullets.com’s current liquidation pricing. This Editor plans to purchase 1000 rounds of Tac-22 from Bullets.com. You may want to do the same.
Here are targets actually shot with Norma Tac-22 at FIFTY yards with an Anschutz rifle. Pretty impressive wouldn’t you say? Target photo courtesy Champion Shooters Supply.
Rimfire Cross-Training Drills
1. Keep ‘Em Touching — Five by Five at 15 Yards
For this drill, shoot five-shot groups. The goal is to have all five shots (of each group) touching — that means no flyers or outliers! Put your target at 15 yards. Concentrate on doing the exact same thing every time. With a good rifle, you should be able to have each shot touch the rest of the group. At this distance, if a shot goes out of the group, it’s probably you, not the gun. Analyze each “out” shot. Did you yank the trigger? Did you change your head or shoulder position? Did you flinch? If you are honest about your mistakes, and work to correct them, you should see dramatic improvement in your shooting. For more challenge move the target out farther.
This “in or out” drill provides immediate feedback. You WILL see positive results as you improve hold, breathing, and trigger control. Our centerfire shooting improved significantly after doing this drill each week for a month. You can use a variety of targets for this drill — we often use 1/2″ orange stickers. But we’ve provided a simple grid with five, 1″ red circles. CLICK HERE for Printable PDF Target.
2. Shot the Suit with Playing Cards at 25 yards
Here’s a fun game you can do with a set of playing cards. Put up four or five cards on a cardboard target backer and try hit each one of the suit symbols. Do one suit at a time. For example, start by shooting at all the heart symbols, then move on to the clubs, then the spades, and finally the diamonds. You can start with face cards, then progress to numbered cards for more challenge. For example, put up a ten of diamonds and try to hit all ten diamonds.
This target was designed for prone shooting, but you can also use it from the bench. The game is simple. Start with the largest circle and work your way to the smallest. You can shoot at all the circles including the final 40-point dot for fun. Or compete with a friend under the tougher “know your limits” rules. You still go from big to small, BUT if you miss you score a ZERO. You have to know when to stop — you have to know your limits. Have fun!
Need a simple, easy-to-use drop chart for your rifle? Something you can tape right to the buttstock? Then check out Hornady’s handy Online Ballistics Calculator. This user-friendly calculator will compute your drops accurately, and output a handy “Cheat Sheet” you can print and attach to your rifle. Simply input G1 or G7 BC values, muzzle velocity, bullet weight, zero range, and a few other variables. Click “Calculate” and you’ll see the full chart (shown below). Then if you click “View Cheatsheet”, you can generate the simpler, 4-line Drop Chart (shown above).
The online ballistics caculator is easy to use. You can select the basic version, or an advanced version with more data fields for environmental variables (altitude, temperature, air pressure, and humidity). You can also get wind drift numbers by inputing wind speed and wind angle.
Conveniently, on the trajectory output, come-ups are listed in both MOA and Mils — so this will work with either MOA clicks or Mil-based clicks. There are more sophisticated ballistics solvers available on the web (such as the outstanding Applied Ballistics Online Calculator), but the Hornady Calculator is very simple and easy to use. If you just want a basic drop chart, you may want to check this out.
For the second year in the row, one of the more popular rifles at SHOT Show was the versatile Bergara’s B14 Hunting and Match Rifle (HMR). Designed for the tactical, PRS, and long-range hunting markets the HMR features an ergonomic, adjustable stock fitted with an internal aluminum sub-chassis. The stock is comfortable in a variety of positions, making it suitable for both hunting and practical shooting comps. The HMR is now offered in five chamberings: 22-250, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5mm Creedmoor, .308 Win, and .300 Win Mag. They all use AICS-compatible box magazines. We’re pleased that all HMRs are guaranteed to produce sub-MOA groups at 100 yards using factory match-grade ammunition. Weight, without optics, is 9.15 lbs, about one pound less than the Ruger Precision Rifle. MSRP is $1,150.00. That’s a good value, but we wish Bergara included a scope rail from the factory.
Watch Video Starting at 6:30 for Bergara B14 HMR (Showing Internal Chassis):
The Spanish-made HMR boasts a molded synthetic stock with built-in machined aluminum mini-chassis. This mini-chassis allows secure, repeatable bedding for Bergara’s B14 action, which features two-lug bolt with coned bolt-head. The Chrome-Moly Bergara barrels are threaded 5/8″ x 24 at the muzzle for brakes or suppressors. The HMR uses a precision-machined bottom metal and is designed to accept AICS-style magazines.
The stock has a multi-stage textured finish, which looks good. Designed for both righties and lefties, the ambidextrous stock features an adjustable cheekpiece, and length of pull is adjustable with simple spacers. For slings and accessories, the HMR stock offers multiple flush cup QD mounts as well as multiple swivel studs for bipods and/or slings.
This should be an interesting addition to the line-up of factory rifles suitable for the PRS Series Production Class. But frankly, we think Bergara went too short with the barrels (or at least should offer longer barrels as options). In 6.5 Creedmoor, at 22″ you’re giving up 90 FPS or so compared to a 27″ (See Barrel Cut-Down Test). Additionally, we think most PRS competitors would prefer a different profile on the fore-end. Nonetheless for tactical guys who don’t like modular metal stocks, this is a pretty affordable option that can also work for hunting. NOTE: The new 6mm Creedmoor version does include a 26″ 1:8″-twist barrel. We like that. CLICK HERE for Bergara B14 HMR Owners Manual.
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
Ruger Precision Rifle in 6mm Creedmoor for $899.99 complete — what’s not to like? That price, which includes rings, is the lowest we’ve ever seen for a Gen 2 model. If you’ve been thinking of purchasing a Ruger Precision Rifle (RPR) chambered for the 6mm Creedmoor cartridge, this is a killer deal. Right now CDNN Sports is offering this popular tactical rig for under $900.00, in the 6mm Creedmoor chambering. This shoots faster and flatter than the 6.5 Creedmoor — so many PRS guys have switched to it. This is a good choice for the PRS production class, or you can take in to another level of performance with a Pre-Fit 26″ cut-rifled barrel from Krieger. This is the lastest RPR Gen 2 version with the upgraded handguards. Heck of a bargain boys — you can pay $1250 or more elsewhere for the same rifle.
2. MidwayUSA — RCBS Ultrasonic Case Cleaning Machine, $76.98
The new RCBS ultrasonic cleaner features a large 3-liter capacity, 60 watt transducer, and 100 watt ceramic heater. This popular unit is now just $76.98 on clearance at MidwayUSA. This is a killer deal — the replacement RCBS Case Cleaner 2 model costs a whopping $349.99 at MidwayUSA.com. NOTE: If the $76.98 MidwayUSA price on the original RCBS Ultrasonic unit is gone when you read this, try Amazon, which offers $89.91 pre-order pricing.
Here’s a great deal on a 9mm carry pistol. Now at Cabela’s, you can get the Taurus Millenium G2 pistol for just $199.99. That’s a bargain — this pistol normally retails for about $300.00. But the deal gets even sweeter. When you buy a 9x19mm G2, Taurus will pay for your first year of NRA membership. That’s right — buy this compact carry gun and get a FREE one-year NRA membership. The Taurus Millenium G2 has a 3.2″ barrel and weighs just 22 ounces, unloaded. Overall length is 6.3″, and capacity is 12+1 rounds.
4. MidwayUSA — President’s Day Sale — Save $10, $20, $30
Here’s a great offer for MidwayUSA Shoppers. Now through 2/20/2018 at 11:59 pm, you can save $10, $20, or $30 on qualifying orders. For example, if you buy $200 worth of products, you get $20 off. If you buy $300 worth of products, you save $30. To get these deals you must use the following coes during check-out: 1M1018 (for $10 Off); 1M1018 (for $20 off); 1M1018 (for $30 off).
5. CDNN — Winchester XPR Hunting Rifle, $264.99 After Rebate
We like the Winchester XPR as an affordable, entry-level hunting rifle. The three-lug bolt has a short throw, the mags seat easily and a wide range of chamberings are available. Right now CDNN is offering the XPR for just $339.99. That’s a great price, but it gets even better. Winchester is offering a $75.00 factory rebate, lowering your net cost to just $264.99. That’s less than you’ll pay for a new custom barrel! The $75 Rebate applies to any NEW Winchester XPR rifle purchased from February 1 through March 31, 2018. For more info, visit rebates.winchesterguns.com.
6. Stocky’s — LR Stocks with Aluminum Bedding Block, $179.99
Here’s a good deal on a versatile Stocky’s Long Range Stock with aluminum V-block bedding system. For just $179.99, order this for Rem/Rem Clone long actions or short actions, with either narrow or wide (varmint/tactical) barrel channel. This would be a good choice for a varmint rifle. This is also offered with handsome hydrographic or web-pattern baked-on textured finishes for $199.99.
7. RCBS February 2018 Bucks or Bullets Promotion
Get Bucks or Bullets with purchase of Qualifying RCBS Products now through the end of February, 2018. This offers buyers a choice of money or bullets. You get a $10 Prepaid Card or 100 Free Bullets with: Qualifying Die Sets, Hand Priming Tool, Universal Hand Priming Tool, Trim Mate Case Prep Center, or a M500 Mechanical Scale. Alternatively, you can get a $50 Prepaid Card or 500 Free Bullets with: Rock Chucker Supreme Kit, Universal Case Prep Center, Explorer or Explorer Plus Kits, Pro Chucker 5 or 7, or an Ultrasonic Case Cleaner 2. NOTE: To qualify for this promotion you must submit your RCBS Rebate Form no later than March 31, 2018
8. Amazon — Howard Leight Electronic Muffs, $34.98
Every shooter should own a pair of Electronic muffs, even if you prefer shooting with earplugs and/or standard muffs. Electronic muffs are great when you are doing spotting duties or are working near the firing line. They allow you to hear ordinary conversations while still providing vital hearing protection. Right now Amazon.com has the Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Muffs on sale for just $35.98, with free Prime Shipping. This is good deal — these NRR 22 muffs are currently Amazon’s #1 seller in the category.
9. Amazon — Neiko Digital Calipers, $16.85
Even if you have a good set of calipers, you may want to get one of these Neiko 01407A Digital Calipers. The #1 best-selling digital caliper on Amazon.com, this Neiko tool features a large LCD Screen and measures up to 6.0 inches. With over 3000 customer reviews, this product has earned an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. It’s hard to go wrong for $16.85, even if you just use these as a spare set for measuring group sizes and case trim lengths.
We use 1″-diameter Target Spots for sight-in and practice at 100-300 yards. These bright red/orange self-adhesive dots are easy to see. At 100 yards the high-contrast black diamond centers provide precise aiming points. We found this 10-pack of target spots on Amazon at a rock-bottom price. You get 630 total stick-on dots for just $9.65 with FREE Shipping. You can also get 360 Birchwood Casey 1″ dots from Midsouth for just $3.15, but shipping is extra. If you’re already ordering something from Midsouth, you may want to add the dots to your order.
Bad news folks — SHOT Show will continue at the Sands Expo through the year 2027. That means nine (9) more years at this “dog” of a facility infamous for its inadequate parking, confusing floor plans, and nightmarish ingress/egress through the Venetian hotel. Oh and it’s hard not to think about the thousands of people who get sick every year attending SHOT Show at the Sands. If you have been there, you know what we’re talking about. So SHOT Show fans, steel yourselves for nine more years of the same sad situation.
Previously, NSSF, the show’s organizer, had agreed to keep SHOT Show at the Sands through 2025. Now they’ve contracted for two more years at this disappointing venue. That makes for NINE additional years of headaches, confusion, disorientation, and general discontent. Oh well…
“The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) and Sands Expo have announced a two-year extension of their current agreement, which will keep the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show at the Sands Expo through 2027. With this two-year extension, we look forward to bringing SHOT Show — the city’s fifth largest trade show — back to these venues for years to come…” said Chris Dolnack, Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer of NSSF, owner of the show.
Meanwhile the even bigger SEMA car show continues at the completely renovated, much easier-to-navigate Las Vegas Convention Center, where SHOT Show should be, in our opinion. There’s a reason SEMA is not at the Sands — those car guys are just not that dumb.
SHOT Show IMPACT $127 Million
SHOT Show is the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas and the largest trade show of its kind in the world. In 2018, over 2000 companies exhibited at SHOT Show attracting over 60,000 attendees. The show is open to trade professionals only and not to the general public. The new agreement caps a big year for SHOT Show, which marked its 40th anniversary overall, 20th year in Las Vegas and ninth straight year at the Sands Expo.
According to Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the overall economic impact of the 2018 SHOT Show to Las Vegas was $127.2 million, bringing the cumulative economic impact of the show to the city to $1.1 billion.
A varmint shooter’s target is not conveniently placed at a fixed, known distance as it is for a benchrester. The varminter must repeatedly make corrections for bullet drop as he moves from closer targets to more distant targets and back again. Click HERE to read an interesting AccurateShooter Varrmint Forum discussion regarding the best method to adjust for elevation. Some shooters advocate using the scope’s elevation adjustments. Other varminters prefer to hold-over, perhaps with the assistance of vertical markers on their reticles. Still others combine both methods–holding off to a given yardage, then cranking elevation after that.
Majority View — Click Your Elevation Knob
“I zero at 100 yards — I mean really zero as in check the ballistics at 200 and 300 and adjust zero accordingly — and then set the scope zero. For each of my groundhog guns I have a click chart taped into the inside of the lid of the ammo box. Then use the knobs. That’s why they’re there. With a good scope they’re a whole lot more accurate than hold-over, with or without hash marks. This all assumes you have a good range finder and use it properly. If not, and you’re holding over you’re really just spraying and praying. Try twisting them knobs and you’ll most likely find that a 500- or 600- or 700-yard groundhog is a whole lot easier than some people think.” – Gunamonth
“I have my elevation knob calibrated in 100-yard increments out to 550. Range-find the critter, move elevation knob up…dead critter. The problem with hold-over is that it is so imprecise. It’s not repeatable because you are holding over for elevation and for wind also. Every time you change targets 50 yards, it seems as if you are starting over. As soon as I got completely away from the hold over method (I used to zero for 200), my hit ratios went way up.” — K. Candler
“When I first started p-dog shooting, I attempted to use the hold-over method with a 200-yard zero with my 6mm Rem. Any dog much past 325-350 yards was fairly safe. I started using a comeups table for all three of my p-dog rifles (.223 Rems and 6mm Rem). 450-yard hits with the .223s are fairly routine and a 650-yard dog better beware of the 6mm nowadays. An added benefit (one I didn’t think of beforehand) with the comeups table (elevation only), is that when the wind is blowing, it takes half of the variables out of the equation. I can concentrate on wind, and not have to worry about elevation. It makes things much more simple.” — Mike (Linefinder).
“I dial for elevation and hold for wind. Also use a mil-dot reticle to make the windage holds easier. For windage corrections, I watch for the bullet strike measure the distance it was “off” with the mil-dot reticle, then hold that much more the other way. Very fast once you get used to it.” — PepeLP
Minority View–Hold-Over is Better
“I try to not touch my knobs once I’m zeroed at 200 meters. Most of my varmint scopes have duplex reticles and I use the bottom post to put me on at 300 meters versus turning knobs. The reason I try to leave my knobs alone is that I have gone one complete revolution up or down [too far] many times and have missed the varmint. This has happened more than once and that is why I try not to change my knobs if at all possible.” — Chino69
“I have been using the hold over method and it works for me most of the time but the 450 yards and over shots get kinda hard. I moved to a 300 yard zero this year and it’s working well. I do want to get into the click-up method though; it seems to be more fool-proof.” — 500YardHog
Compromise View–Use Both Methods
“I use both [methods] as well — hold over out to 250, and click up past that.” — Jack (Wolf)
“I use the target knobs and crank-in elevation. I also use a rangefinder and know how far away they are before I crank in the clicks. I have a scope with drop dots from Premier Recticle and like it. No cranking [knobs] out to 600.” –Vmthtr
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites young men and women shooters to apply for CMP scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year. The CMP offers $1,000 one-year scholarships to current high school seniors. Since 2005, CMP has awarded over $1 million in scholarship grants. Last year, the CMP received a record-setting number of applications and awarded over $150,000 in scholarship money. Winning scholarship recipients came from JROTC programs, 4-H groups and other shooting clubs.
Here’s a fun game you can do with a set of playing cards. Put up four or five cards on a cardboard target backer and try hit each one of the suit symbols. Do one suit at a time. For example, start by shooting at all the heart symbols, then move on to the clubs, then the spades, and finally the diamonds. You can start with face cards, then progress to numbered cards for more challenge. For example, put up a ten of diamonds and try to hit all ten diamonds.
SHOT Show IMPACT $127 Million
A varmint shooter’s target is not conveniently placed at a fixed, known distance as it is for a benchrester. The varminter must repeatedly make corrections for bullet drop as he moves from closer targets to more distant targets and back again. 
Minority View–Hold-Over is Better
